Your partner for safe lifting and transport in the nuclear industry
Custom Manufacturing. Decades of Experience. KTA Certified.
The nuclear industry faces complex challenges, particularly in the dismantling and safe transport of heavy components. As a trusted partner for companies involved in nuclear decommissioning and maintenance, Axzion provides customized lifting solutions that meet the highest safety standards.
Why Axzion?
✔ Experience & Precision: Decades of expertise in developing advanced lifting technology.
✔ Safety First: Our solutions minimize risks for personnel and the surrounding environment.
✔ Customized Solutions: Every project is unique – we design and manufacture tailor-made solutions to meet your specific requirements.
✔ Reliability & Partnership: We support you in executing complex projects, from planning to final implementation.
✔ Comprehensive Documentation: 100% traceability of all materials and processes – manually documented and inspected according to the highest safety standards.
Quality Assurance in Compliance with KTA 1401
The manufacturing of lifting beams and load-handling equipment for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities is subject to the strictest legal requirements and regulatory oversight. This is crucial, as handling radioactively contaminated components such as reactor pressure vessels or steam generators presents significant safety risks. To meet these demands, manufacturers like Axzion must comply with the guidelines set by the German Nuclear Safety Standards Commission (KTA).
The KTA includes Germany’s nuclear power plant operators: EnBW Kernkraft GmbH, PreussenElektra GmbH, RWE Nuclear GmbH, and Vattenfall Nuclear Energy GmbH. Of particular importance is KTA 1401, which defines quality assurance requirements for work on nuclear facilities. Axzion strictly adheres to these standards: our production sites in Germany have been KTA 1401 certified since 2019, with regular audits ensuring ongoing compliance with all safety regulations.
A key aspect of this certification is the 100% traceability of all materials and manufacturing processes. Axzion meticulously documents every step of the production process manually in paper form, complete with the signatures of all involved parties, including the power plant operator, the load-handling equipment manufacturer, the general contractor, and an officially accredited inspector (e.g., TÜV).
Furthermore, Axzion is listed in the VGB contractor database, further underscoring our expertise and reliability in the nuclear sector.
Innovative Technologies
For the future of the nuclear industry
With a strong focus on safety, precision, and efficiency, Axzion provides advanced solutions for the nuclear power sector. From customized replacement programs to decommissioning and handling large components, our expertise ensures the successful and timely execution of even the most demanding projects.
Vessel replacement
Nuclear power plants are designed for long-term operation, necessitating regular replacement and decommissioning programs. Since each plant has a unique infrastructure, Axzion develops customized and integrated solutions that meet the highest safety standards. These specialized designs ensure an efficient and secure turnaround with minimal downtime while also supporting the timely decommissioning process.
Nuclear decommissioning
As all work is carried out in confined, highly regulated environments, the decommissioning of nuclear power plants requires specialized technical solutions and years of experience. Axzion designs customized load-handling equipment that meets the stringent safety standards, ensuring a timely and secure decommissioning process.
Replacement of large components
The aging infrastructure of nuclear power plants presents unique challenges when replacing large components such as steam generators. Axzion develops precisely engineered and customized load-handling equipment to execute these complex processes safely and efficiently. Careful planning is essential to minimize downtime while ensuring compliance with the highest safety standards.
Customized Lifting Solutions
Lifting and transporting heavy components in the nuclear industry requires specially designed load-handling equipment that meets the highest safety standards. Each project presents unique challenges—whether due to structural conditions, specific requirements of the lifted components, or stringent safety regulations.
To meet these demands, we develop customized solutions for the safe and efficient handling of critical components. The following lifting systems are specifically designed for use in the nuclear sector and are engineered to address the complex challenges associated with transport, dismantling, and handling of heavy loads.
External lifting beam for steam generator transport
Lifting, rotating, and transporting steam generators weighing up to 500 tons requires custom-engineered lifting beams. Since no two steam generators are identical, load-handling equipment must be precisely tailored to the specific project requirements. Additionally, the structural conditions of the power plant play a crucial role in the lifting process—even minor deviations in the building envelope can significantly impact the design of the lifting beam.
To ensure maximum flexibility, modern lifting beams are increasingly equipped with adjustable components, allowing them to accommodate different steam generators and facilitate transport under varying conditions. An example of this is the external lifting beam shown here, which is specifically designed for safe and efficient use in demanding environments.
Special lifting beam for reactor pressure vessel (RPV) dismantling
A specially designed lifting beam was developed for the dismantling of a 500-ton reactor pressure vessel. The construction allows the beam to be positioned directly on the system and securely bolted to ensure a controlled and vertical lift of the vessel. This customized solution is engineered to provide maximum stability and safety throughout the entire dismantling process.
Gripper for the decommissioning of the fuel element storage
During the decommissioning of the reactor or spent fuel pool, an automated cutting torch dismantles the structure into cuboid segments of varying edge lengths. These individual components are significantly heavy and require safe handling.
The gripper shown here was specifically developed by Axzion for this task. It securely grips the extracted segments and enables controlled transport. Through a ceiling opening, the radioactively contaminated components are then precisely lifted out, ensuring an efficient and safe decommissioning process.
Electric gripper beam
The transport and handling of transport boxes in safety-critical areas place high demands on the lifting equipment used. In environments with potential radiation exposure, remote-controlled solutions are essential to ensure personnel protection.
The electric gripper beam shown here was specifically developed for this application. It enables the safe lifting, movement, and placement of transport boxes without direct contact by the operator.
The entire transport process is fully remote-controlled: an empty box is picked up in the standard operating area, moved through an airlock, set down at the loading point, and, after being filled—such as with lightly contaminated material—returned via the same route. This electric gripper beam ensures safe and efficient operation, even under demanding conditions in the nuclear sector.
Contact Us
Do you have questions or want to learn more about our customized solutions for the nuclear sector? We are happy to assist you. Simply fill out the contact form, and we will get back to you promptly.
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Expert service solutions
Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair – On-Site service available
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Enhanced safety solutions for the nuclear industry
In addition to specialized load-handling equipment, the SpanSet Group offers a range of essential products for safe operations in the nuclear industry. Personal protective equipment (PPE), high-performance round slings, and reliable load securing systems ensure maximum safety when lifting, transporting, and working in sensitive environments.
Our solutions meet the highest safety standards and are specifically designed to minimize risks and protect both personnel and materials.
